ICSE Board To Undergo Major Changes

Bhubaneswar: In the road map discussed by educators from ICSE affiliate schools across the country at the 58th annual general meeting started here on Wednesday, schools affiliated to the CISCE board will undergo a major revamp in syllabus, infrastructure, teachers' training and modernization.

"The way we read, learn, work, communicate and find information have changed drastically in the last few years. The implication of these changes is tremendous in all walks of life. We need to rethink our practices as educators in response to these changes and this is why we are here," said secretary-treasurer of Association of Schools for the Indian School Certificate (ASISC), K V Vincent.

The participants in the three-day meeting including over 1200 principals from various schools would discuss on how to bring in a major revamp in the syllabus and examination as per the need of the hour. This year's theme is 'Education in a changing world'.

Governor S C Jamir inaugurating the event said, "Technology has become an inseparable part of education and has come a great way from the parrot like pedagogy that was prevalent a few years ago. It has helped learning anywhere, anytime. It's no more limited to classrooms. However, in spite of all these I would firmly say that technology is never a substitute for a teacher."

Jamir also gave emphasis on teaching moral values to students. "There is a crisis of moral values in most walks of life. It is the responsibility of the educational institutions to bring back the values in public as well as private lives," he added.

The sessions will discuss on various issues like grades and marks, smart classes, e-learning, emphasis on practical studies in addition to theory, upgradation of laboratories and extracurricular activities. There will also be discussions on the need for a teacher-training center for in service teachers. "Whether these changes have positive or negative consequences will also be discussed to determine if and how they need to be implemented in the education system," added Vincet.

There are 75 schools affiliated to ICSE board in the state of which seven are in the city including the St. Josephs Convent School, Stewart School, Ruchika High School, Venketeshwar English Medium School, Loyola school and Seventh-day Adventist Higher Secondary School.